Security monitoring system with combined video and graphics display

Abstract

A remote location having at least one monitoring device is monitored via a temporary communication channel so that an image from the remote location is displayed at a monitoring location along with a graphic signal that depends on the source of the image. Scrutiny information is sent from the remote location to the monitoring location, including the image. The graphic signal may represent a map of the remote location, and may include text providing helpful information relating to the remote location. In some cases, the temporary communication channel is provided at least in part through an online computer service. In some cases, the communications interface is a wireless communications interface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 09 / 371,212, entitled “METHOD FOR BUYER-SELLER ON-LINE COMMERCE” and filed on Aug. 10, 1999, now pending, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08 / 189,405, entitled “COMMERCIAL PRODUCT ROUTING SYSTEM WITH VIDEO VENDING CAPABILITY” and filed on Jan. 27, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,894, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 154,313, entitled “SCHEDULING AND PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR TELEPHONE VIDEO COMMUNICATION” and filed on Nov. 17, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,284, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 08 / 067,783, entitled “VIDEOPHONE SYSTEM FOR SCRUTINY MONITORING WITH COMPUTER CONTROL” and filed on May 25, 1993, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 08 / 031,235, entitled “VIDEOPHONE SYSTEM FOR SCRUTINY MONITORING WITH COMPUTER CONTROL” and filed on Mar. 12, 1993, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a method and system for monitoring a remote location using a monitoring device. The system receives selected scrutiny information from the monitoring device, which can include video data. The system then generates a graphic signal based on stored graphic information and displays the received video data and generated graphic signal on a display. The temporary communication channel can be provided through an online computer service or a wireless communications interface. The technical effect of this invention is to enable effective monitoring of remote locations with video data and graphic information."

Problems solved by technology

While previous monitoring systems have been effective, particularly in conjunction with a single facility, there have been attendant limitations.

Unfortunately, more time and expense is incurred in traveling to and from different facilities than is desirable.

However, obstacles remain, particularly in traditional areas of cumbersome communication.

At present, no one industry standard and format has been adopted for video conferencing systems.

Thus, the systems available on the market are not always compatible.

To consider an example of cumbersome communication in the merchandising industry, wholesale vendors or sellers of goods typically spend many hours attempting to schedule appointments with various buyers for different organizations, travelling to and from the buyers' facilities, and waiting for meetings, which may sometimes last only a short duration.

Unfortunately, considerably more time and expense is incurred, in travelling to and from different facilities, than is desirable.

Moreover, in the event a specific seller wishes to broadcast a special offering of a particular item to plural buyers, for example, to dispose of an inventory of distressed items, the seller must undertake considerable effort, such as place an advertisement or otherwise initiate contact with buyers.

An advertisement is likely to be viewed only by random buyers, thus, not always proving to be a reliable method of soliciting offers from all possible buyers.

Moreover, initiating individual contact with a series of buyers, until eventually securing a final sale, constitutes an arduous task.

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